Method of heating coke ovens and the like



Patented Feb. 21 1933 FFEEL JOSEPH BECKER, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIG-NOR TO THE KOPPERS COMPANY OF DELAWARE, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE METHOD OF HEATING COKE OVENS AND THE LIKE N Drawing.

This invention relates to the heating of by-product coke or gas ovens, vertical coking retort ovens, and the like. My invention relates more particularly to a method of treating fluids supplied to such ovens for combustion purposes.

An object of my invention is to provide a process of treating fluid supplied to coke ovens for combustion purposes whereby condensation of substances present in said fluid within the coke oven structure may be eliniinated.

A second object of my invention is to prevent disintegration of refractory structure Within coke or gas ovens.

A further object of my invention is to reduce stoppages of gas passages from the main piping to the oven structure.

My invention has for further objects such other operative advantages or results as may hereinafter be found to obtain.

It is common practice to utilize a portion of the gas produced in the distillation of coal in by-product coke or gas ovens as fuel gas for the same. The requisite amount of gas, after cooling and removal of tar and ammonia, is Withdrawn from the main flow,

and supplied to the flues of the coke oven structure, Where it is burned by preheated air.

Coal gas supplied to coke ovens in this Way contains considerable moisture, naphthalene, etc, and, under prior conditions, condensation of such material has occurred When the gas Was supplied to the coke-oven structure, and prior to combustion thereof. Such condensation produces harmful and undesirable effects. The aqueous condensate causes a disintegration of the refractory brick structure of the gas passages, and absorbs hydrogen sulphide or sulphur dioxide, or both, forming corrosive acids that attack and corrode metal connections, piping, valves and the like, Which serve to supply and distribute the fuel gas to the coke oven structure. Condensation of naphthalene, a solid substance, causes stoppages of said gas passages and nozzles, which necessitates cleaning and replacement.

With regard to the condensation of Water,

Application filed January 22, 1927. Serial No. 162,931.

and absorption of sulphur dioxide, it is noted that, While sulphur dioxide is not normally present in coke oven gas, the addition of stack gas or similar diluent, which has been proposed for the operation of relatively high-chambered coke ovens, Would introduce sulphur dioxide. When such diluent is used, it becomes still more important to prevent condensation either in the piping for the diluent gas, or in the passages for conducting the mixture of fuel gas and diluent gas.

In order to eliminate condensation of fuel gas constituents Within the coke-oven structure and the attendant supply connections, I heat the fuel gas prior to supplying it to said structure, to such temperature that condensation of its constituents will not occur during the fioW of the gas to and through the oven structure. I prefer to heat the fuel gas to from 30 C. to (1., as this temperature is sufficient to prevent condensation of Water and naphthalene Within the piping leading to the coke-oven structure.

I may utilize any suitable source of heat and means of applying the heat to the gas. Solid or fluid fuel, hot Water, steam, Waste heat, or the like, may be employed, and the heating is preferably accomplished indirectly.

My invention is not limited to a system employing coal gas, or coal gas plus diluent gas, for heating coke ovens, but may be employed in other systems, such, for example, as one wherein blue gas, producer gas, blast furnace gas, or the like, is used as fuel gas.

Nor is my invention limited to preventing condensation in fuel gas. It can be applied with beneficial results to any fluid introduced into coke or gas ovens for purposes of combustion. For example, air previously used for actification of fouled liquids used for gas purification, saturated with moist ure, and containing hydrogen sulphide and hydrogen cyanide, acidic impurities re moved from coal gas, if treated according to my invention, will suffer substantially no condensation of said moisture and impurities When introduced to a coke or gas oven structure to support combustion therein.

M invention provides a method of preventing condensation within the fuel gas passages or the like of coke ovens and resultant disintegration or stoppage of said 5 passages, or of the external connections used to supply fuel gas or other fluid to such passages.

My invention is not limited to the specific examples given hereinabove by wa of illustration, but is to be construed as o the scope of the following claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In the method of heating a coking retort oven structure containing heating flues and apparatus for distributing gaseous fuel to said flues, by supplying coal gas to said structure for combustion therein, the step which comprises supplying said coal gas heated to a tem rature of from about 30 C. to about 60 to said flues from outside of said structure.

2. In the method of heating a coking retort oven structure containing heating fiues and apparatus for distributing gaseous fuel to said flues, the step which comprises supplying to said structure as gaseous fuel for combustion therein a mixture of a gaseous fuel containing water vapor and a diluent gas containing a constituent having acid properties in the presence of condensed water, heated to a temperature of from about 30 C. to about 60 C.

3. In the method of heating a coking retort oven structure containing heating flues 5 and apparatus for distributing gaseous fuel to said fiues, the step which comprises supplying to said structure as gaseous fuel for combustion therein a mixture of coal gas containing water vapor and a diluent gas containing a constituent having acid properties in the presence of condensed water, heated to a tem erature of from about 30 C. to about 60 4. In the method of heating a coking re- 4 tort oven structure containing heating flues and apparatus for distributing gaseous fuel to said flues, the step which comprises sup plying to said structure as fuel for combustion therein a gas containing water vapor heated to a temperature of from about 30 C. to about C.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 21st day of J anuary 1927.

JOSEPH BECKER. 

